Five people have been arrested and more than £55,000 worth of illegal vapes, tobacco and alcohol have been seized in Swindon.
Wiltshire Police executed four warrants in conjunction with HMRC and Trading Standards on Tuesday morning at three stores in Manchester Road and a property in Broadgreen, as part of the force’s ongoing Clear Hold Build work within the local area.
During the raid, officers found thousands of pounds worth of vapes which breached the legal capacity limit, as well as illicit tobacco and alcohol.
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Some of the vapes were advertised as containing more than 15,000 puffs, despite the puff limit for disposable vapes being 600.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of breaching section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 and they have been taken into custody for questioning.
Sergeant Winter, of the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a highly successful morning involving excellent multi-agency work.
“During our raids we seized tens of thousands of pounds of illegal tobacco and vapes which were for sale directly next to the counters.
“There are strict limits on what vapes can contain in order to keep the public safe. Some of the ones we seized today vastly exceeded the restrictions.
“Five men were arrested under the trade marks act and have now been taken into custody for questioning.
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“Community intelligence is vital to enable us to conduct operations like this. If you have any concerns around activity going on in your community then please report it to us.
“Intelligence can be reported via our website, on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “Our Trading Standards Team, with the support of Wiltshire Police and other partners, are determined to remove these non-compliant and potentially dangerous products from Swindon shops.
“Illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes are not only really harmful to people’s health, the money raised from their sale often helps fund criminal gangs.
“It is important we stamp out this illicit trade. The Council’s Trading Standards officers are available to give to help and guidance to Swindon retailers in order to ensure the products they sell are safe and legal.”
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